Niger in Pictures

What a treat it was to be a part of The LINK staff retreat in Niger, Africa this month. We traveled to Park W at the very tip of Niger and near the border of Burkina Faso. There were 5 cars/vans carrying over 30 of us. We traveled for about 2 hours down partially paved roads and some not-so-paved roads (as in clay dust "roads" that prevented you from seeing anything in front of you including other cars and livestock regularly seen crossing the road). 

I'll tell the rest of the story through pictures. 

We arrived at our hotel unscathed and immediately noticed our beautiful landscape - so different from the typical Niger most of us had seen. There was green! 

This is the view from the patio area that we ate most of our meals at. We frequently saw baboons running around. 

And the hotel room. Not much to say here except there were lizards (about 6 inches long) and electricity was on only from 7pm to 7am. We all survived 2 nights, and I slept better the second night after realizing I had no recollection of lizards running around or over my body while sleeping the first night. 

Fati, Halima, Michelle and my two roommates, Cindy and Amy (all LINK staff - some from Niger and some from the US).

Me and my roommates. Love them both.

Hanging out by the pool, which the Nigerien men really loved. It was so sweet to be able to see them enjoying each other's company and hear them laughing and enjoying a rare moment to relax. Many had never been on a trip like this or to a retreat at all. 

The building where we met for the retreat.

A beautiful African sunrise.

No, this was not copied from National Geographic. These are local villagers that live near the hotel. They are bathing, washing clothes and dishes and the kids were just running free all over the rocks. I felt like I'd stepped back in time.

Rodrigo and Michael sharing the core values and vision of The LINK. Erica and I had the opportunity to share Romans 12:6-8 (motivational gifts) with the staff. It was frightening because I really don't like to talk in front of people, but I actually think it went pretty well. I know there are some things I'd do differently next time, but it was a great stretch and grow moment for me!

My dear friend Juanita and sweet Kaila. 

We went out one evening into the park (in cars). We had a guide with an AK-47 leading us, so we were safe...

Hard to believe I've known these two for 15+ years (we went to middle and high school together) and here we are in Africa together - all hoping to grow our family through adoption from the same orphanage. It's very cool how God works, and I was so glad to be with both Thomas and Erica on this journey.

Me standing inside elephant footprints. We did see an African elephant, but he was really far away so I didn't get a great picture. We also saw warthogs, monkeys, water buffalo, crocodiles and a lot of gazelles. 

Debbie and Paul leading us in worship. Most of the time it was in French, but it was still a sweet moment to be worshipping the same God in Africa with His people - both Americans and Africans. He is the same here and there, and their love for Him is humbling and inspiring. 

Baboons.

Now we are back in Niamey, yet there are still women with unfathomable amounts of stuff on their heads and babies on their backs. Amazing. I think I would have borrowed that motorcycle she's walking past.

Forget Whole Foods, this is where the produce is!

We visited another orphanage before seeing Leila and Emmanual (they were still in school). CSEN orphanage is smaller but very well run and overseen by a great Christian couple. Their son is actually here in Virginia at Liberty University. 

One of the 4 month old twins they are currently caring for. 

I don't know her name, but she was as sweet as can be. 

And she loved looking at herself in my phone. 

Fabric store = overwhelming. 

The sweetest ending to my trip was visiting with Leila, which I've already posted about and will post about again as we hear more. They are (for real) actively searching for her birth father to get his signature. Apparently, he doesn't even know she exists, so we pray that this will be in our favor.